A MOTHER-OF-TWO who has raised £100,000 for a cancer charity in memory of her younger sister is to take part in what could be hermost gruelling fundraising challenge yet.

Michelle Thompson, 43, will cycle 500km acrossmountainous African terrain in 40C temperatures raising £8,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

She will be joined by her friend, Melanie Lancaster, 40, who was inspired by Mrs Thompson's fundraising adventures, which have included a trek to Machu Picchu, climbingMount Killimanjaro, cycling 500 miles across Vietnam, and completing five Great North Runs.

In the months running up tothe cycle, Mrs Thompson will also take part in the London Marathon in April next year, and the Great North Run in September, meaning she will complete all three challenges inside ten months.

Mrs Thompson, who overcame thyroid cancer in 2004, said she has raised all the money inmemory of her little sister, who died from an aggressive form of bone cancer 16 years ago, aged 18.

"She went through absolute hell, " said Mrs Thompson.

"Her battlewith cancer iswhat inspiresme.When I got cancer, it really made me understand what she went through.

"Even though you have all the support of your family and friends, you're the one who has cancer. It can be a very lonely place.

"Macmillan is trying to reach out to two million people who are living with cancer.

Theymake such a difference."

She said she had decided to take part in the challenge even though she does not enjoy cycling.

"I can't stand the training, " she said. "But I will really enjoy the challenge. It will be great to have someone to train with and I think I will be in the best shape of my life next year.

"My husband, Mick, is brilliant. I don't know how he puts up with it. He is very good at helping me raise money.Wemake a great team.

"I am a normal housewife who signs up to these then thinks, 'what am I doing?' But it is worth all the training and hard work when you reach your fundraising target for such a worthwhile cause."